text: With the world’s largest internet user population – 721 million – China has a parallel digital market because so many of the major global players have no presence there. Some of these countries demonstrate remarkable creativity in the face of severe infrastructural gaps, institutional constraints, and low sophistication of consumer demand. Stall Out countries enjoy a high state of digital advancement while exhibiting slowing momentum. a country’s digital readiness. DOES digitalization lead to a renaissance? The pandemic has boosted networking in Germany. Based on a survey of business leaders that ranks which markets are likely to attract the most investment in the next three years, we find that investor sentiments reveal a variety of paradoxes in the environment for FDI, many of which can be explained by the rise of the age of multi-localism. The United States, Germany and the Netherlands make the top three of the 2018 EDI ranking. … Let us look at each of our three broad index categories in turn. As regards mobile subscription penetration, there are similar behaviors, with 110–113 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, but typologies differ heavily. Automation, big data, and artificial intelligence enabled by the application of digital technologies could affect 50% of the world economy. To avoid stalling out and rebuilding momentum, policies need to be adopted for: public-private partnerships on digital innovations; better integration of automation, data, and new technologies into the legacy economy; investments in reskilling workers and teaching students in schools the skills and thinking to thrive in a digital world; improving access to capital and digital infrastructure and reducing the many inequities; sensible regulations that keep pace with the transforming rules of competition and have a dynamic view of protecting consumers’ interests without stifling innovation; and reimagining U.S. competitiveness in terms of its digital economy and international data flows and thinking beyond traditional manufacturing and trade of physical goods and services. There are more mobile connections than people on the planet, and more people have access to a mobile phone than to a toilet. Moreover, how strongly each of them is felt varies depending on where you are in the world. Digital technology is widespread and spreading fast. A high score indicates active digital efforts across industry and government, backed by the capital, skills and technology to scale further. Click on the countries displayed within the map below to see the country-specific reports on digital performance, or click in the list. Euler Hermes presents its Enabling Digitalization Index (EDI) 2018, which illustrates each country’s ability to provide the necessary environment for business to succeed in an increasingly digitalized global economy. Currently, the countries have to use innovative solutions in their fight against the virus and the consequences of the epidemic. While digitalization is advanced in places like Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and Finland, the momentum there has slowed, and is slowing in the U.S., Germany, and Japan as well. digital maturity of the country. One reason for the advanced state of digitalisation digitalization in the Baltic country is to be found in its low population density. Country size is also a factor. Digitalization is the use of digital technologies to change a business model and provide new revenue and value-producing opportunities; it is the process of moving to a digital business. While the Netherlands, France, Sweden, and Switzerland are among the least cash-reliant countries in the world, even in the Eurozone, 75% of point-of-sale payments are in cash. 4. Business and Government Investment Building digital infrastructure and … Upstream supply chain phase. Five months after the country demonetized 86% of its currency, cash withdrawals were actually 0.6% higher than a year earlier. They are leaders in driving innovation, building on their existing advantages in efficient and effective ways. As a measure of how well an economy is using information and communications technologies to boost competitiveness and well-being, it will be very interesting to watch the position of the UAE over the next few years. While digitalization is advanced in places like Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, and Finland, the momentum there has slowed, and is slowing … This evolution is the outcome of an interplay among four drivers, with about 170 indicators across them (see sidebar). Production phase. Some countries are at the border of multiple zones. Alongside business innovation, digitalization – the development of digital innovations – is one of the most important business trends for the future of the economy. Which countries are the most digitally competitive? Many might be tempted to answer that the US does, but the answer actually depends on what aspect of “digital” you’re looking at. When Unionbank decided to take this journey to digitalization in 2016, Malaya Business Insight was there. Tools . Each of these five features contains both upsides and challenges. the country of advanced technologies, the Global Connectivity Index (GCI-C) devel- oped by Huawei [ 9 ] is worth mentioning. In Africa, while the two largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa, remain in Break Out and Watch Out zones, respectively, digitally savvy Kenya has picked up an impressive level of momentum by assembling a thriving ecosystem. Now in its third year, the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking measures the capacity and readiness of 63 economies to adopt and explore digital technologies as a key driver for economic transformation … The country’s ability to use digital solutions is essential in the fast-paced technologically advancing global world. The aggregate business digitalization index (BDI) in Russia was measured at 50 points. The United States take the lead by far with a score of 87 out of 100. Lebanon is another example; surpassed by Morocco in the Enabling Digitalization Index and ranked at the 90 th position in the Digitization Index out of 100 countries worldwide. We introduced the Digital Evolution Index in HBR in 2015 to trace the emergence of a “digital planet,” how physical interactions — in communications, social and political exchange, commerce, media and entertainment — are being displaced by digitally mediated ones. Every country and multinational needs to be sensitive to the map of digital momentum so that they can tailor their strategies accordingly. Based on their stock prices on July 6, 2017, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook were the five most valuable companies in the world. Traditional trading hubs (such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK) and emerging digital hubs (such as New Zealand and Estonia) can take the lead in creating such “smart” digitally enabled ecosystems. There is both anticipation and apprehension about what lies on the other side of the threshold of the “second machine age.” More than 1 billion jobs and $14.6 trillion in wages are automatable by today’s technology, which could open the door to new ways to harness human energy as well as to displacing routine jobs and increasing social inequities. Cross-border flows of digitally transmitted data have grown manifold, accounting for more than one-third of the increase in global GDP in 2014, even as the free-flow of goods and services and cross-border capital have ebbed in the aftermath of the 2008 recession. Broader, more systemic changes are needed to boost digital evolution in this type of environment. Ben Gummer’s claim, quoted above, is based on a 2016 United Nations E-Government Survey which positioned the UK in pole position in terms of both e-government development and e-participation as shown in Figure 1 below.. The Enabling Digitalization Index created by Euler Hermes helps measuring the “digitagility” of countries, with the US, Germany and the Netherlands on the podium, and shows five options for countries to move up the EDI ranking. Thanks to DiGiX 2018, BBVA Research’s multidimensional digitization index, it is possible to compare which countries are the most advanced in this area, and discover their strengths and weaknesses. This can act as a drag on any initiative. The five-country surveys, covering approximately 1,200 firms, provided the empirical base to examine the extent to which advancements in digitalization are evolving in each country. The country benefits from a large market, a strong knowledge ecosystem and a … Break Out countries are low-scoring in their current states of digitalization but are evolving rapidly. So do high-momentum countries (such as Singapore, New Zealand, and the UAE) as well as many Break Out countries (including China, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia). Often held back by relatively weak infrastructure and poor institutional quality, Break Out countries would do well to foster better institutions that can help nurture and sustain innovation. Consider the five most salient features of today’s digital landscape. It is essential for them to recognize the risks of plateauing and look to the smaller, higher-momentum countries to explore how policy interventions could be effective in pushing a country into a zone of greater competitiveness. Below, we present a short summary of recent research in this area. As for human capital, the people who are most digitally oriented, with the capacity to meet the challenges that the new technologies present, are the Finns. countries/organizations have started the digitalization path, providing the necessary environment for its development but still with significant challenges. If we fail to pro-actively select our place within the global manufacturing industry we run the risk of continuing on this path of non-industrialization. Clearly, the most exciting region in the world, digitally speaking, is Asia, with China and Malaysia as exemplars. This will enable Africa to create a niche within the global economy. Australia ranked highest in the 2019 Digital Quality of Life index, a study produced by Surfshark, a virtual private network based in the British Virgin Islands. Access to electricity is considered a foundational layer of infrastructure. 3 Established: countries… Inclusive Internet Index, Euler Hermes’ Enabling Digitalization Index, and Dell Technologies’ Digital Transformation Index. In our 2018 ranking, the US, Germany and the Netherlands are the top 3 digitagile countries across the world. The countries investigated in the process represent over 70% of the global population and around 5.5 billion people. Our inquiry started with the following questions: By measuring each country’s current state of digital evolution and its pace of digital evolution over time, we created the following chart, a map of our digital planet (see chart below). The United States, Germany and the Netherlands make the top three of the 2018 EDI ranking. The IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019 results . of such companies whose businesses have attained the $1 billion of value benchmark—so-called unicorns. Watch Out countries face significant challenges with their low state of digitalization and low momentum; in some cases, these countries are moving backward in their pace of digitalization. Chart. Digital Economy and Society Index 2020 (DESI) reports are based on 2019 data. The Euler Hermes Enabling Digitalization Index (EDI) measures the ability – and agility – of countries to help digi-tal companies thrive and traditional businesses harness the digital dividend. BloombergNEF’s 2019 ranking reveals the industrial digitalization status of 40 countries and ranks them using metrics in investment, governance, workforce and technology. The picture that summarizes the state of the digital planet will evolve when it does. DESI area report: Research and Development ICT. Digital players wield outsize market power. The UAE. The United Kingdom is still included in the 2020 DESI, and EU averages are calculated for 28 Member States. Yet in this short period, digital technologies have upended our world. Editor’s note: Every ranking or index is just one way to analyze and compare companies or places, based on a specific methodology and data set. India, with its 462 million internet users, has a digital economy representing arguably the greatest market potential for global players; however, it operates in multiple languages and multiple infrastructure challenges, despite the government having taken sweeping actions that affect the digital market. The index analyzes the economies of 99 different countries. At HBR, we believe that a well-designed index can provide useful insights, even though by definition it is a snapshot of a bigger picture. The drivers and key components we analyzed are as follows: We also examined the competitiveness of a country’s digital economy along two dimensions: its current state of digital evolution, as determined by the interplay of the four drivers mentioned above, and its pace of digital evolution over time, as measured by the growth rate of a country’s digital evolution score over the period 2008 – 2015. The DESI was re-calculated for previous years to reflect the changes in the choice of indicators and corrections made to the underlying data. Countries with a long road ahead in their digital development include South Africa, Egypt, and Pakistan. The fact is, technological advances have obliged people to become trained in digital technology; some studies predict that the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies will be such that,nearly two million jobs will be in danger. The index indicates that countries are clustered as Digitally Constrained,Emerging, Transitional or Advanced, with varying degree of contribution of digitization to economic growth. The DiGiX finds Luxemburg as the highest-placed country in the world when it comes to digitization. Will the world order as portrayed in this year’s Digital Evolution Index get overturned as transformational technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cause widespread changes or regulatory and political considerations add to the unevenness of digital markets? Also, digitalization should be used extensively, especially in situations of lockdown and switching from classical teaching to online systems (Bejinaru, 2019; Tsui & Dragicevic, 2018). Digital technology is reshaping life and business around the globe, but the pace of change varies widely from one country to the next. Momentum is picking up in places like China, Malaysia, Bolivia, Kenya, and Russia, even though those countries may not be as digitally advanced as standouts New Zealand, the U.K., the UAE, and Singapore. A major hurdle is the continuing stickiness of cash, which has not been displaced by digital alternatives despite myriad options. As for the U.S., it is at risk of falling into the Stall Out zone. The European Union has 412 million internet users, but its market is fragmented; it is still in the process of creating a “digital single market.” In many countries, several websites or digital companies are blocked. The IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019 results . The question governments need to ask themselves is how they align a ‘here-and-now’ emphasis on job creation with the necessary focus on digitalization. With products that rely on network effects, these players enjoy economies of scale and dominant market share. It is barely 20 years since Sergey Brin and Larry Page registered the domain name google.com, and only 10 years since Steve Jobs walked onto a stage in San Francisco and introduced the iPhone. In parallel, countries in Latin America can learn some lessons from smaller, faster-moving countries, such as Colombia and Bolivia. Stand Out countries are highly digitally advanced and exhibit high momentum. The overall DAI is the simple average of three sub-indexes. In 2013 85% of the world’s transactions were in cash. The United Kingdom is still included in the 2020 DESI, and EU averages are calculated for 28 Member States. The index covers 180 countries on a 0–1 scale, and emphasizes the “supply-side” of digital adoption to maximize coverage and simplify theoretical linkages. We always urge you to read the methodology carefully. Dubai, in particular, is rapidly emerging as a world class digital nation. The Euler Hermes Enabling Digitalization Index (EDI) measures the ability – and agility – of countries to help digital companies thrive and traditional businesses harness the digital dividend. To stay ahead, these countries need to keep their innovation engines in top gear and generate new demand, failing which they risk stalling out. Stall Out countries may look to Stand Out countries for lessons in sustaining innovation-led growth. In our 2018 ranking, the US, Germany and the Netherlands are the top 3 digitagile countries across the world. Furthermore, we placed a focus on whether two structural features of developing countries, More sensible and value-creating investments are needed, rather than a herd mentality that has resulted in a stampede of unicorns, while starving more complex, less fad-driven venture ideas that take on deeper problems. country on digital startups. United United Kingdom remains in second place followed by Hong Kong (3rd), United States (4th) and Netherlands (5th. Clearly, much of this has to do with the digital momentum being experienced in countries around the world, as well as with the systemic nature of the forces that govern digital evolution. In conclusion, the world’s digital economy stands at a threshold where opportunity and risk stand in balance. Notably, two of the world’s most significant economies, the U.S. and Germany, are at the border of Stand Out and Stall Out, with a third, Japan, in the neighborhood. Digital Economy and Society Index 2020 (DESI) reports are based on 2019 data. DIGITALIZATION in the 15-country mega trade deal could improve trade systems with key partners, a research fellow from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said. The world’s biggest trade deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), was signed by China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations … Euler Hermes presents the third edition of its Enabling Digitalization Index (EDI), which analyzes a country’s ability to provide an environment where companies can digitally transform successfully. However, sustaining consistently high momentum over time is challenging, as innovation-led expansions are often lumpy phenomena. They have deep resources for innovation with the ability to accelerate the penetration and adoption of digital products. Their rise to prominence is evidenced in the number . For global technology players and policy makers, it is essential to understand how the progress toward a digital planet is proceeding in different parts of the world. Most of the developing world is overwhelmingly cash-dependent; in Malaysia, Peru, and Egypt, only 1% of transactions are cashless. Each sub-index comprises technologies … access to a mobile phone than to a toilet. Also, there is a difference in the number of the Arab countries included in these indices. The DAI is a worldwide index that measures countries’ digital adoption across three dimensions of the economy: people, government, and business. India, with many policy-led pushes for digitalization, including a Digital India campaign and initiatives to give a boost to digital payments, ought to pay attention to the overall low level of evolution in the country. Key economic and social indicators. The Industry Digitalisation Index (IDI), tracks businesses’ digitalisation progress across sectors, and spans four separate functions of digitalisation in the processes of trade and general business activities. 15. Around the world, digital access itself is far from uniform: Barely 50% of the world’s population has access to the internet today. Publication Finder ... "Digitalization index of banks in Russia in 2020, by stage of customer journey*." Which country leads the world in digital? Figure 4: The Digital Evolution Index. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), Integration of Digital Technology by Enterprises, Digital Economy and Society Index Report - the telecoms chapters. Of these, 54 percent are based in the United States to date, with 23 percent in China, and 10 percent in Europe. Digital technologies are poised to change the future of work. Within the digital entrepreneurship sector, IPOs and exits have not been keeping pace with the record sums of capital being pumped in. First, digital assets. To benchmark them, the index measures how much companies invest in hardware, software, data, and IT services (whether through outright purchases or contracting with third parties to fill in gaps). Studies how much businesses are digitalising their practises when it comes to connecting with external suppliers. In the meantime, the UK’s digital momentum is stronger than its EU peers. Retail e-commerce sales worldwide are expected to hit $4 trillion by 2020, about double of where it is now. Because the distance to local authorities is usually considerable, Estonians began working on digital solutions very early on. However, the role of digitalization has become particularly important in the face of worldwide pandemic. Enabling internet access on the mobile phone provides the biggest bang for the buck. First, digital assets. world’s largest internet user population – 721 million, greatest market potential for global players, 75% of point-of-sale payments are in cash, Institute for Business in the Global Context, Chief Enterprise Security Solutions Officer. Over the past year, all EU countries improved their digital performance. What are the patterns of digital evolution around the world? Let us look at each of our three broad index categories in turn. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School. Where momentum is picking up, and where it’s stalling out. While much has changed even since 2015, there are roadblocks on the journey that have remained surprisingly resilient. Smaller countries with strong institutions can create high value as early adopters and create a demonstration effect for the world by assembling the right ecosystem. Even in the short period since we published the previous edition of the Digital Evolution Index, much has changed in the journey to the digital planet, and just as surprising, there are many speed bumps scattered along the way. While more people can benefit from access to information and communication, the potential for bad actors to create widespread havoc increases; with every year, the incidents of cyberattacks get bigger and have wider impact. Country Outlook . This growth rate, which we refer to as momentum, is a lead indicator of a country’s future digital potential and prospects. The Euler Hermes Enabling Digitalization Index (EDI) measures the ability – and agility – of countries to help digi-tal companies thrive and traditional businesses harness the digital dividend. As part of a collaboration between the Fletcher School at Tufts University and Mastercard, we created the Digital Evolution Index and analyzed the state and rate of digital evolution across 60 countries. One of us (Bhaskar) has made the point that there is a “missing political debate” in the U.S. over the digital economy, despite that fact that American digital companies and innovations are pre-dominant worldwide. We identified many hotspots around the world where these changes are happening rapidly and other spots where momentum has slowed. Even India’s demonetization experiment has not broken the country’s heavy cash dependence. Depending on a country’s level of digital evolution and economic advancement, there are different drivers that are primarily responsible for digital momentum. But no one should panic, because jobs are … The Digital Evolution Index, a joint project between The Fletcher School at Tufts University and Mastercard, traces the emergence of a “digital planet.” In other words, it maps how physical interactions – in communications, social and political exchange, commerce, media and entertainment — are being displaced by digitally mediated ones, and pinpoints where this transition is happening most rapidly. Now in its third year, the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking measures the capacity and readiness of 63 economies to adopt and explore digital technologies as a key driver for economic transformation … The various reports present the data in areas like connectivity, digital skills, digital public services, and more. Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands scored the highest ratings in DESI 2020 and are among the global leaders in digitalisation. country, including factors such as: local rule of law, the Ease of Doing Business Index, the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) infrastructure rating, and the time it takes businesses to obtain access to electricity. Top in the ranking are Luxembourg, the U.S. the Netherlands, Singapore and Hong Kong, while Malaysia, South Africa, Chile … Moving past these “digital plateaus” will require a conscious effort by these countries to reinvent themselves, to bet on a rising digital technology in which it has leadership, and to eliminate impediments to innovation. The surest way for these countries to move the needle on momentum would be to improve internet access by closing the mobile internet gap — that is, the difference between the number of mobile phones and the number of mobile phones with internet access. 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text: The absolute performance of the US economy has not been terrific. However, relative to many other economies, it is doing quite well. That has bolstered the dollar in the currency market. It has increased in value versus the yen and the euro. That might weaken the export market for US products but US exports of natural gas will continue to have a positive impact on its current account.

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- Webasto will remain a minority shareholder
- Transom is a private equity firm specialising in middle market investments
- Webasto is based in Munich, Germany
Transom Capital Group will acquire a majority stake in Webasto Charging Solutions, an electric vehicle charging products and service provider, from Webasto Group.
Webasto will remain a minority shareholder.
“Charging is at the forefront of the global transition toward electric vehicles, and Webasto presented a rare opportunity to invest in a business of significant scale and in an underlying market on a hockey stick growth curve,” said Russ Roenick, co-founder and managing partner at Transom Capital Group.
Transom is a private equity firm specialising in middle market investments. It is based in Los Angeles, California.
Munich, Germany-based Webasto generated sales of over €4 billion and employed about 16,800 people at more than 50 locations. The group has invested heavily in electromobility in the recent years to expand its product portfolio.
No financial details of the transaction were disclosed.


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The No Man’s Sky Beyond update is less than a week away, and the launch trailer for the game has already been released for those to see (via Eurogamer). Beyond is the 7th free update to the popular title, and the third update since No Man’s Sky Next that coincided with the game’s release on Xbox One.
No Man’s Sky Beyond will include many new features, with one of the major ones expanding upon the online multiplayer that comes with the game. Additionally, Windows and PS4 users will soon be able to take advantage of a VR experience on compatible headsets.
Details about the game continue to be scarce aside from what we’ve seen in the trailer. Luckily its August 14th release is right around the corner, so it won’t be long before we get all of the details.
If you don’t yet have the game, it’s on sale for just $34.99, or 30% off, on the Microsoft Store right now. Xbox One X owners will also be able to take advantage of 4K Ultra HD and HDR 10 support on supported TVs.
What do you think from what you’ve seen in the trailer? Are you excited for the Beyond update? Let us know in the comment area below.


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How would a beverage tax impact Rhode Island?
In the past, the legislature has introduced legislation that would increase beverage taxes and hurt working families, small businesses and employees the most. There is a chance that the same or similar legislation will be introduced again in 2023. This is the impact that legislation would have on Rhode Island.
- This is not just a tax on soda. Hard-working Rhode Islanders will struggle to afford common grocery items such as sugar-sweetened beverages including flavored coffee drinks, sports drinks, teas, sodas, energy drinks, lemonades, kombuchas, flavored waters, certain fruit drinks – even frozen lemonade and coffee syrup.
- Costs are rising for working families in Rhode Island. Inflation, supply chain issues, and the price of gas are making everyday items more expensive. A beverage tax will increase the cost of common grocery items for working families who cannot afford it.
- Local businesses have worked hard to recover from the challenges of the pandemic. A large tax on beverages is another burden placed on businesses and would lead to job losses and higher prices.
- This tax could impact more than 4,200 workers and lead to a loss of at least $100 million in annual retail and restaurant sales.
If passed, many residents will drive across the state border to shop Massachusetts and Connecticut; this will only hurt Rhode Island businesses and deprive the state of revenue.
After receiving historic levels of federal funding, a recent state budget office report shows that the state has an $878 million surplus. If the state already has a surplus of money coming in, why raise prices for Rhode Islanders? Now is the time to support small businesses and working families, not enact a tax that will target them as they are already struggling to recover.
BOTTOM LINE: Rhode Island working families, small businesses and employees cannot afford a costly new tax.


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The global entertainment and media industry has been defined by two dimensions for a very long time: content and distribution. However, technological improvements and the corresponding increased global connectedness mean that a third dimension is now a concern for companies: user experience. The increasingly digital era means that traditional mediums for content are becoming outdated and that new methods of engagement are becoming available. The overall entertainment and media market has seen slowing growth rates due to oversaturation and the preferences of the new generation of consumers. The combination of the sheer amount of content available and the fickle nature of new millennials means that great user experience is one of the best methods to keep customers returning.
Why This Matters: While TV companies tout navigation, Silicon Valley giants are using AI, personalization to draw viewers to OTT. Leave it to a reporter to find a good navigation tool. Former CBS News and CNN executive Jon Klein believes the TV business needs artificial intelligence to compete with the digital giants whose streaming and over-the-top video offering are accumulating viewers and revenues. Klein is worth listening to. At CNN, he was an early adopter of social media as a newsgathering tool.
Google has acquired Anvato, the developer of a video software platform, to shore up its cloud offering in the area of video delivery. Anvato's Media Content Platform, used by many large media and entertainment companies including NBCUniversal, Univision and Fox Sports, will complement the efforts of Google Cloud Platform to offer scalable media processing and workflows in the cloud, Belwadi Srikanth, senior product manager for Google Cloud Platform, wrote in a blog post. The Mountain View, California, company offers software that automates the encoding, editing, publishing and secure distribution of video content across a variety of platforms. Google Cloud Platform and Anvato teams will work together to deliver cloud technologies that help "businesses in the media and entertainment industry scale their video infrastructure efforts and deliver high-quality, live video and on-demand content to consumers on any device -- be it their smartphone, tablet or connected television," Srikanth wrote. Anvato said it will deliver on the Google Cloud Platform infrastructure the video processing software technology it already offers pay TV operators, programmers, broadcasters and live event producers.
Shonda Rhimes, is one of the best-known producers in television. Rhimes is making the leap from ABC to Netflix. Netflix produced Marvel's The Defenders, featuring Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist. The battle for streaming video watchers is taking on super-hero proportions. Flashing an arsenal of more than 50 million U.S. subscribers and the cash to lure A-list talent and franchises, from ABC hitmaker Shonda Rhimes to Marvel, the on-demand movie pioneer has increased its pressure on Hollywood studios and TV channels.
The number of households cutting the cord accelerated in 2016. The pay-TV industry lost 1.7 million, or 1.7%, of its customers in 2016, according to MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett. One of the biggest pain points for cable companies is Millennials. A recent survey from Videology found just one-third of Millennial males plan to pay for television this year. That number is shrinking as 9% of Millennials plan to cancel their cable subscriptions this year, according to a survey from Magid Advisors.


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After the amount of deaths last year due to food safety, the concern has
been raised significantly. The U.S. Senate has passed the S510 Food Safety
Modernization Act on November 30 and has drawn support from party lines.
The goal of the act will prevent contaminated food from being on the market
by bringing into effect multiple new regulations.
The regulations will require new food safety plans to prevent these contaminated
foods from entering the market and will help to raise the confidence of
consumers. The regulations will make it a necessity for grocery stores
to make all of the information on the recalled foods visible.
It is very important to consumers to be able to trust that there food is
safe for them.


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NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The total number of vehicles Toyota Motor Corp. has had to recall for gas-pedal related issues now comes to 8.1 million, the carmaker confirmed Thursday.
That figure may grow after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Thursday that it is launching a formal investigation into braking problems in the popular Toyota Prius.
The 8.1 million figure includes a total of 5.8 million vehicles recalled, around the world, for an issue in which accelerator pedals could become stuck in floor mats. Of those, 5.3 million are being recalled in the United States.
A total of 4.5 million vehicles, worldwide, are being recalled for a problem in which gas pedals, as they wear, can become sticky and not come all the way back up when the driver takes his foot off the pedal. Of those, 2.3 million are under recall in the U.S.
A total of 2.1 million vehicles around the world are subject to both recalls.
In addition to the United States, the recalls are also occurring in Europe and Asia.
Toyota officials estimate the total cost of the global recall could be as much as $2 billion, including the loss of 100,000 vehicle sales in the United States and Europe.
The figures do not include the Toyota Prius, which is currently not subject to a recall but is under formal investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This follows complaints of faulty braking by consumers and an admission by the company that cars produced early in the 2010 model year had a software problem that caused poor brake performance.
Corporate America gave investors the gift of strong earnings Thursday. More
Regulators are about to reveal the results of an extensive health check of Europe's top 130 banks, indicating which may need a cash infusion. More
However, earnings slipped on restructuring plans More
Dressing up in crazy costumes, traveling the world, posing for photos -- and getting paid to do it. Here are journal entries from a day in the life of professional "cosplay" character, Linda Le. More


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BEIJING, June 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The briefing of Evergrande Group's achievements in May released on June 6th indicates that its sales volume in May has surpassed ten billion with a considerable amount up to 11.82 billion and becomes one of the few large real estate enterprises that grow against the trend across the country with an immense year-on-year growth of 28.3% against the trend. An original report by Sina Leju follows:
In May, Evergrande has realized a sales area of 1.866 million square kilometers and continues to rank at the first place with a year-on-year growth of 45.1%.
In addition, the contract sales amount volume of Evergrande has amounted to 56.21 billion Yuan with a year-on-year growth of 64.4% from January to May of this year, making a new record at the same period in history. Its target completion ranks at the first place across the country and it is the only large real estate enterprise that has produced over half of the annual sales volume from January to May.
Meanwhile, from January to May this year, it has realized a contract sales area of 8.226 million square kilometers with a year-on-year growth of 57.5%, making a new record at the same period in history. The average sales rate of Evergrande is 6,833 Yuan per square kilometer with a year-on-year growth of 4.4% from January to May.
Industry analysts point out that Evergrande has realized a sales volume of 56.21 billion Yuan in the first five months in 2014 with a target completion surpassing 50%, which reflects that the "following the market trend" sales strategy of Evergrande keeps generating power and that its products meets the current needs with a high performance-cost ratio and a synchronous rise on production and price. There has always been has a tradition of "hotness after coldness" for a long in the mainland real estate market and the realization of Evergrande's annual target reaching 110 billion is very promising.


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If NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show was any indication, the retail industry believes AI stands for “all in.”
With more than a dozen AI-specific exhibitors in the Innovation Lab and many more throughout the Expo, dedicated AI sessions, and statements from executives in sessions, artificial intelligence was a constant topic throughout the show. Many noted that the technology had gone beyond hype to include practical use cases and game-changing opportunities in areas such as personalization, shopper behavior, sales and service, training and talent development, operations and more.
Browse photos, blog posts, videos and more from NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show.
Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply Company president and CEO, compared the buzz to the start of ecommerce; it’s full of wonder, opportunity — and questions. This time around, however, there appears to be “much more certainty.” He shared how his company is incorporating generative AI in a number of ways, from monitoring the movements of a customer outside looking at a lawnmower and alerting a team member to providing information to help with customer service.
Ulta Beauty is using generative AI-powered tools to create personalized digital experiences and deeper level of customer service for shoppers. That said, the aim is to highlight and complement the human experience rather than replace it, says CEO Dave Kimbell.
Anshu Bhardwaj, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Walmart Global Technology and Walmart Commerce Technologies, likes to think of the technology as making her people-led, tech-powered company’s workers “superhuman.” “I’m a mom,” she told the crowd during one session. “I don’t think anything can replace a mom. It’s the same thing with store workers.”
Marc Benioff, Salesforce chair, CEO and co-founder, took things a step further: “If AI is not making us better, and augmenting us,” he says, “we’ve lost the plot.”
Innovation Lab, Foodservice Innovation Zone highlight advances
For the past seven years, NRF, with support from Tusk Strategies, has worked to identify the top technologies transforming retail across the product and shipping journeys for the Innovation Lab. This includes new-to-market and best in class, in areas from sourcing and supply chain to loyalty and operations. AI runs throughout.
This year, there were nearly twice as many AI-related companies represented as in 2023. Onebeat, for example, provides AI-driven retail inventory solutions. Ikigai Labs provides generative AI for tabular data. Zenlytic is an AI-powered business intelligence tool; OfferFit uses AI to identify the right messages and incentives for every customer; and Booth.AI uses generative AI to meet the demands of hyper-personalized photographic content.
Seth Webb, Tusk Strategies executive VP, attributes the recent growth to increases in use cases and utility. “That is spurring increased investment, which is driving new companies, and more companies, and more use cases,” he says.
AI used to be more focused on preferences or marketing. Today, however, “it is really being used all the way through the shopping journey. We’re just seeing applications grow across the whole retail operation.”
Rob Grimes is founder and CEO of the International Food and Beverage Technology Association, NRF’s concept partner of the inaugural Foodservice Innovation Zone at the 2024 show. In the Foodservice Innovation Zone, vendors demonstrated the use of AI in security, drive-thrus, embedded equipment for health, temperature and utility monitoring, and customer service.
The area included life-sized holograms of Grimes, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, and PepsiCo Foods North America CEO Steven Williams, each responding to attendee questions and talking about their organizations with the help of AI provided by Conversa.ai.
“The reason it’s there isn’t just to say, ‘Oh wow, that’s cool,’” says Grimes. “It’s actually about delivering customer service that way, and getting some personality back into the conversation.”
The hope is that the Foodservice Innovation Zone showed applicable, useful solutions. The drive-thru area, for example, included LetzChat, an AI-driven tool that provides real-time translation into more than 100 languages; it was demonstrated on a menu board as well as ordering kiosks. There were also computer-vision vending machines to help create frictionless experiences, and the ability to provide made-to-order hamburgers and hot dogs served on toasted buns with cheese, ketchup and mustard.
Curated tours of the Expo included the inaugural AI Retail Playbook, created with retailer feedback and the most popular Expo Tour at this year’s show, says Dan Hodges, founder and CEO of Consumers in Motion Group. The two-hour tours are expert-led, efficient, curated and focused on “market-leading technologies in customer management, including utilizing AI for personalization, operations, training and talent development, seamless integration of the physical and digital customer journey, and utilizing ChatGPT.”
Hodges noted after the show that attendees were particularly interested in AI case studies. “People want to be more aware of the possibilities,” he says. They also enjoy learning from each other and networking with other leaders who have already solved the issues they’ve faced.
Policy and governance still required
Christian Beckner, NRF vice president, retail technology and cybersecurity, got a laugh during one session by noting that AI had been “woefully neglected” on the show agenda this year. The overflow crowd spoke otherwise, highlighting the level of interest.
The retail sector is an “active user” of AI products and services; there are dozens of use cases applicable to retailers of all sizes; “and the new focus on generative AI over the past year has really increased the attention to these issues,” Beckner says. Policymakers are paying increasing attention, and consumers still have a bit of uncertainty, creating the need for a robust dialogue within the industry on AI issues.
NRF started an AI Working Group for AI business and policy leaders at its retail member companies last year. In addition, through its new Center for Digital Risk & Innovation, it has recently released a set of principles for use of AI within retail. The effort focuses on four areas: issues related to governance and risk management; issues related to customer engagement and trust; applications that relate to a company’s own workforce; and business partner accountability.
The key message, Beckner says, is to be proactive in encouraging and supporting responsible adoption and use of AI. This includes benchmarking and best practices, in addition to ensuring the retail sector has a voice in state and federal legislation being developed. The aim is that proposed legislation wouldn’t inappropriately inhibit innovation. At the same time, NRF and its retailers are aware that there are risks; there’s a need for balance.
Overall, Beckner says, he sees a lot of different use cases for AI.
“Clearly, we don’t think it’s hype,” he says. Companies are at various levels of maturity, but “we do think there’s legitimate business value. This is something that will make businesses stronger.”
Retailers are still in test-and-learn mode, he says, but retailers that completely ignore it run the risk of losing opportunities for increasing efficiency, improving customer service and seeing other benefits. In addition, the landscape is quickly changing, and technologies continue to evolve. It’s critical that retailers are aware and engaged, he says, and even if not radically changing operations or IT infrastructure, that they’re at least thinking through appropriate opportunities.
AI doesn’t change the fact that retailers still want to have trust-based relationships with customers; this is not about shifting the core value proposition. It’s more about doing things more efficiently.
“It really is an issue that needs to be part of corporate strategy,” he says, perhaps involving legal, digital, marketing, operations and other teams. “It’s a cross-cutting issue that is fundamentally changing the nature of the way retailers work.”


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JAKARTADAILY.ID – Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) started selling entry tickets online on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. This tourist destination in East Jakarta will be open to the public for a limited time on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
TMII ticket purchases can only be made online on the tamanmini.com website. The price of the entrance ticket, however, has not changed, which is still at Rp 25,000.
As the manager of the Mini Park, President Director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko (PT TWC) Edy Setijono explained that TMII ticket sales were for a limited trial.
Also read: Indonesian Police Dismisses Rumors of Cults Behind the Deaths of the Kalideres Family
"This limited trial is to ensure that TMII is really ready to be visited by tourists," said Edy Setijono reported by PMJnews.com, Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
According to him, visitor interest was very high in ordering TMII tickets. During the limited trial period, visitors can enjoy the attraction from 08.00 to 16.00.
"Since our sales opened at 8:00 a.m., up to two hours earlier, around 500 tickets had been sold," explained Edy.
Also read: Indonesian Supreme Court Hands Over Two Judges Involved in Bribery Case to KPK
Edy added, during the trial period Taman Mini imposed a quota limit of 5,000 visitors per day. Tourist vehicle parking will be concentrated in the parking building.
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) is renovating infrastructure and facilities in the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) cultural park area in East Jakarta ahead of preparations for the Indonesian Presidency at the G20 Summit (KTT) in October.
PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono explained that the renovation of the TMII area was one of President Jokowi's special assignments to the PUPR Ministry to carry out a number of infrastructure developments ahead of the Indonesian Presidency at the G20 Summit.
Also read: ACT Foundation Charged with Embezzling Boeing Funds for Lion Air 610 Crash Victims
In addition to renovating the TMII area, the special assignment includes structuring infrastructure to support the G20 Summit in Bali, structuring the Mandalika Region, and preparing for the ASEAN Summit in Tana Mori Labuan Bajo.
The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) area is a cultural park that encapsulates the diverse culture of the Indonesian nation, including aspects of daily life, displayed on traditional architectural pavilions, as well as displaying various clothing, dances, and regional traditions.
Get news on Indonesia today from JakartaDaily.id on Google News
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) Cultural Park Renovated Ahead of the G20 Summit
Ministry of PUPR Adds Quota for Housing Subsidy Assistance in 2023 to 220 Thousand Units
Summarecon Launches Summarecon Crown Gading a New City-Scale Area in North-East Jakarta
Indonesian President Joko Widodo Receives the 2023 ASEAN Leadership Relay from Cambodian PM
'Today the Eyes of the World Are on Our Meeting’ Says President Jokowi During His Opening Speech at the G20


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The idea behind using federal tax reduction incentives to spur green vehicle sales and production for the US market had merit when it was introduced decades ago. The general goals were to make the pricey cars more attainable for mainstream buyers and give automakers some time to reduce the cost of extremely expensive EV battery technology. It’s easy to say both goals have been achieved. Here's our look at why adding more federal EV tax incentives is ridiculous given today's American car market.
Are Affordable Electric Vehicles Available Now Without New Federal Tax Incentives?
There is no doubt that electric vehicles are now available to the masses at a very affordable cost to the consumer. The Chevy Bolt no longer qualifies for federal tax incentives, GM being among the first automakers having reached its maximum volume for them to apply. Why would GM need new tax incentive support to provide a low-cost entry electric vehicle with class-leading range? The current Chevy Bolt is available in all US markets and it presently sells for less than $20K in its LT trim. After state incentives like those in Massachusetts, buyers can take home a new Bolt for as little as $17,500. There is no equivalent gasoline-powered vehicle in the Bolt’s class that costs less.
The Nissan Leaf Plus is also available for a cost to the consumer with current EV incentives for near $20K. The base Leaf has a price after existing state and federal rebates in Massachusetts of $14,990 (NEW, not used!). These are cars that reviewers find much to like about, at prices already less than similar gasoline-powered cars. Those who want more choices can look for a Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Ioniq EV, both of which also are priced in the low $20Ks.
Those shoppers for whom an at-home charger is not available can choose multiple plug-in hybrid-electric options with prices in the low $20Ks. The Prius Prime and Hyundai Ioniq PHEV are easy-to-name examples. Both have costs in the low $20Ks today.
Without any changes to the current tax incentives, there are at least five brands offering low-cost to the consumer electric vehicles. Why are new tax incentives needed to cover this end of the marketplace?
Many Brands Are Going Electric Anyway
Well over a year ago, GM’s President stood at a podium and announced that “GM’s all-electric future was now.” He went on to elaborate on how GM had already made the decision to shift to all-electric vehicles and then detailed all of the plans for new and repurposed factories GM was building. By all reports, those plans are ahead of schedule. GM announced a refreshed Bolt this past month and added a Bolt EUV with more room for family buyers. Up next will be EV SUVs and trucks from Hummer and also GM’s own brands. If GM is selling low-cost EVs now and already has committed to going all-EV in the immediate future, why does GM need a tax incentive change in 2021?
GM is not alone. Jaguar has announced that by mid-decade, just four years from today, Jaguar will only offer battery-electric vehicles. Today, its excellent I-PACE is not just a great Jaguar EV, but a great Jaguar. It was the template from which Tesla and Ford built the Model Y and Mach-E.
Rivian is planning to launch its R1T all-electric truck in June. Rivian is doing so with or without any changes to the federal tax code. The company will already enjoy a decade of huge tax incentives from the current EV tax law. Aptera, Lucid, Bollinger, Fisker, and others are all also planning to launch all-electric vehicles this year and all of them will already have massive tax incentives under the current tax code that will last many years.
States Are Planing to Mandate All Vehicles Be Electric - Will ALL Cars Have Big Tax Breaks?
One by one, the US states are setting expiration dates for internal combustion-powered vehicles. If the states are going to make all cars EVs, then why do we need to add tax incentives? Why do the automakers need this corporate welfare if Tesla has already shown that building EVs can boost stock prices and be done profitably?
States Are Throwing Support Behind EVs
Although lower carbon emission levels from vehicles is a good thing, air pollution is mostly local. So why don't states with local air pollution problems support EVs with price supports? In fact, they do. California has for over a decade, many other states such as Massachusetts offer thousands in EV incentives and in New York, Assemblymember Patricia Fahy's bill recently introduced legislation (bill A.4761 ) to provide a $35,000 EV tax incentive. You read that right. A tax incentive worth 50% more than affordable EVs actually cost.
Why Do Sold-Out Electric Vehicles Need Additional Incentives?
The three hottest electric vehicles in America today are the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Toyota RAV4 Prime. All sell out before they arrive on the delivery lot. There is no inventory and buyers cannot get enough of these crossovers priced from the mid $30Ks to the $60K range. Why do EVs need added incentives if the ones that are being launched today and over the past year are selling out?
Why Do EVs That Sell Above Sticker Price Need Tax Incentives?
Many buyers are finding dealer markups above MSRP for the RAV4 Prime. Mustang Mach-E buyers have posted window stickers with $10K markups. Why do vehicles in such high demand that shoppers will pay over sticker prices for them need added tax code support?
Tesla sells every vehicle it produces in America and has never suffered from excess inventory. Discounts on Tesla vehicles are so rare it is big news when they are offered. Tesla, Toyota, and Ford all have customer waiting lists for their EVs spanning months. Why do automakers with waiting lists for EVs need more help?
Should American Tax Dollars Subsidize Imported Electric Vehicles?
Will American unions cheer for extended incentives on vehicles that automakers build in low-cost labor markets outside of America? The Mustang Mach-E is imported from Mexico. Jaguar’s I-PACE, the Toyota RAV4 Prime, all of Kia and Hyundai’s EVs, and Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV are all built exclusively outside of America. The PoleStar 2 is imported from China. Why should Americans directly subsidize the profits of automakers who opt not to use American labor to build EVs?
Should Americans Subsidize Performance Vehicles?
Tesla and Ford presently sell electric performance electric vehicles in the US. Tesla's most recent update to the model line is an ultra-high-performance variant of its $130K Model S. One of its upcoming cars is a supercar Roadster Tesla says will be capable of a sprint to 60 MPH faster than any other car. There is no “need” to go 0-60 MPH in under 2 seconds. It is almost impossible to find a place in America where it is legal to do so. Should the American tax code be altered to boost the profits of automakers for the further development of pricey electric performance vehicles?
Should Luxury-Priced EVs Be Subsidized By New Taxpayer Incentives?
The current tax code allows millionaires and billionaires to enjoy tax breaks when they buy pricey EVs. When the Rivian and Lucid products arrive, they will not offer any family vehicles priced below $40K. These will all be high-performance luxury vehicles and they will all come with a $7,500 federal tax incentive for the well-heeled buyers who will proudly display their commitment to stopping climate change by driving a fancy luxury EV. With such examples of the way the good intentions that EV tax incentives have gone off the rails, do we really need more such incentives for a longer period of time?
New changes to the current tax code that subsidizes EVs will primarily impact two automakers. They are Tesla and GM. Tesla already sells every EV it makes at a profit (if its SEC filings are to be believed) and has the largest stock valuation of any global automaker. In anticipation of the coming tax incentive changes, Tesla increased its prices by up to $10,000 this week. GM is planning huge, massively powered vehicles for wealthy individuals. Why do these two automakers need changes to the tax code in order to succeed?
Since low-cost family EVs are already being sold with a sub-$20K cost to budget shoppers, why are changes needed to the tax code to "help EVs?" Feel free to offer your opinions in the comments below.
John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. Following his engineering program, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin


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- Balenciaga's Creative designer, Demna, put on a show that was more subdued than recent spectacles.
- Models wore clothes without logos, some designs leaning on the archives of the brand’s founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga.
- The brand faced a tsunami of criticism over two ad campaigns that led to protests at a number of its stores and hurt sales heading into the holiday season.
- Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault is betting that he can retool Balenciaga's approach with the current team in place.
- The show contained flourishes that the fashion world has come to expect from the designer.
Balenciaga Displays Restraint in First Fashion Show Since Child Ad Backlash
Balenciaga, led by Creative designer Demna, put on a toned-down fashion show in a bid to turn the page on consumer outrage that engulfed the brand over its portrayal of children in its ads.


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Tim Hortons stock surges after hedge fund buys big stake
U.S. firm ScoutCapital Management LLC bought a 5.5 per cent stake in the coffee and doughnut chain, making it Tim Hortons second-largest stakeholder.
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Tim Hortons Inc., Canada’s largest fast-food chain, had its biggest gain in six weeks after Scout Capital Management LLC bought a 5.5 per cent stake in the company.
Tim Hortons rose 3.4 per cent to $55.73 at 10:20 a.m. in Toronto, the largest one-day gain since May 1.
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Scout Capital Management, the New York-based hedge fund, said in a filing dated June 6 it has “engaged in discussions” with Tim Hortons about its capital structure, spending, share buybacks and compensation. Scout’s stake is worth about $467 million at Tuesday’s share price, making it the second-largest shareholder, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Scout is the second activist investor to take a stake in the Oakville, Ontario-based company. Highfield Capital Management LP took a 4 per cent stake in the coffee and doughnuts chain in May.
Tim Hortons has faced criticism from investors after its U.S. expansion yielded poor operating profits last year. U.S. stores brought in $20,000 per store compared with $182,000 per Canadian store, according to Derek Dley, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity Corp.
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Canada is looking to be part of a 12-country Pacific rim trade deal. There may be too much haste to get it done and too few details about what’s in it.


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On the heels of another iPhone announcement, it’s inevitable that Apple will announce a slew of revolutionary, magical upgrades to its smartphone lineup — at least, in its own words. While many of the features won’t fit either of those buzzy marketing words, there are some big changes to the phones this year. In fact, not only do some of these updates improve the experiences of iPhone owners everywhere, but they could reverberate into the world of Android in ways both big and small. So, while the blue bubble folks might be getting maxed out on excitement, us Android users should take a moment to see how we might benefit from Apple’s iPhone 15 announcement.
1 USB-C and Qi2
The change from Apple’s dated Lightning port to USB-C has been a long time coming. Even though the swap didn’t come from Apple’s core, the implementation of this new port should be welcomed by both sides of the mobile OS fence. Sure, long-time iPhone users may feel some initial frustration as they’re required to buy new cables, but once this hurdle is out of the way, the benefits of this change will be easy to appreciate.
At first, Android users were thrilled with USB-C because we no longer had to pay attention to what direction the old-timey microUSB cable was facing, making charging phones in the dark a cinch. But as the port quickly matured, so did the USB-C standard, outpacing Apple’s Lightning port in both data transfer and charging speeds.
Though Apple didn’t specify on stage the version of USB it’s using for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus during the announcement, looking at the spec sheet, it’s USB 2.0. This means the data transfer speeds will remain at the same paltry 480Mbs supported by Lightning. As for charging rates, Apple states the phone will charge to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W or higher charger, leaving max wattage unclear at the moment. However, if you opt for one of the iPhone 15 Pro models, then you will get the treat of up to 10Gbps with USB 3.0. This allows for even faster charging than the standard iPhone 15 models, but again, Apple isn’t specifying what the maximum wattage will be.
Yes, all the best Android phones have been able to enjoy these wonderful features that come with USB-C for years now, but with the iPhone finally getting on board with the ubiquitous port, we can all benefit from it. In case you didn’t know, nearly every time Apple adds a feature to its phones that requires any kind of accessory change, there is instant credibility to the change. Think back to when the headphone jack disappeared. Not only did Apple introduce its own AirPods, but it spurred more brands to offer high and low-quality wireless earbuds. The same type of accessory boom will come from Apple joining the USB-C clan, and Android users will benefit as well.
Another example is MagSafe, Apple’s beloved magnetic charging technology that debuted on mobile with the iPhone 12. While Android users don’t have official compatibility yet, many accessory companies are offering excellent MagSafe adapters, so phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 can take advantage of it. And with the Qi2 standard first announced at CES in January, the state of MagSafe is changing fast. Not only will Android phones have magnetic charging natively built-in, but Apple’s latest iPhones will also support the standard. So, just as the swap from Lightning to USB-C will lead to Android users getting more accessories, Qi2 support will too.
2 Satellite communication
Last year, Apple brought Emergency SOS via satellite to the iPhone 14 series so that no matter where you were, if you needed help, you could get it. With the announcement of the iPhone 15 series, Apple has added a new feature to the service in Roadside Assistance via Satellite, thanks to a partnership with AAA. The feature opens up more ways to take advantage of the technology and lets users send a message to AAA from a list of choices so that the help can arrive at your exact location with the proper tools needed to get you going again.
I live in rural Kansas, and there are many times when driving around my area that I have zero service. So, things like the Motorola Defy Satellite Link allow me to reach out for help when needed. However, that requires a separate piece of hardware stuffed in my glove box, whereas the iPhone has it built in. We’ve already seen an uptick in component makers and service providers beginning to spin up so features similar to what Apple offers can be used by Android phones. Samsung, MediaTek, and Qualcomm all have plans to bring satellite connectivity options to each brand’s chips, and Google is working on offering satellite communication in Messages. Then there was that T-Mobile and SpaceX partnership announcement last year, though admittedly, we’ve heard very little about it since.
With Apple continuing to improve its own satellite communication features, it demonstrates the company is truly invested in it. This will, in turn, signal to the rest of the industry that if the company’s rivals haven’t begun to create its own solutions, they need to start ASAP. Not only is it necessary to stay in feature parity with Apple, but to compete head on, providing similar communication options for emergency situations is a must.
3 Action button
Apple has done away with a feature that has been around since the very first iPhone — at least, on the Pro models, anyway. This physical alert toggle has always allowed iPhone users to quickly put their phone into silent mode or switch the ringer on without turning on the display. While a similar feature has been available on phones like the OnePlus 11, it has been ignored by the rest of the Android smartphone world. So, why has Apple done this? To make room for the new Action button.
This button isn’t entirely new, as it first appeared on last year’s Apple Watch Ultra. On the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the Action button will let users long press to change their phone’s ring state, just as the legacy switch did. But a short press can be customized to launch a voice recording, specific apps, and much more. The customization options of the button are what most surprised me, as Apple hasn’t always allowed users such freedom on their devices. This is what excites me as an Android user.
Because Android is far more open than iOS and has long been an OS for people who want the ability to customize their phones, the idea of bringing a physical button to access specific functions of their phone could be glorious. We’ve seen this before — Samsung allowed users to remap its Bixby button before killing it completely on its last few smartphone generations — but with this week’s launch, it could be due for a comeback. Think of how double clicking the power button to launch the camera has become a universal shortcut. Making a dedicated button that could launch the flashlight, your favorite app, run a smart home automation, and so much more would be a killer feature.
Heck, with a proper API, apps could have access to the button, allowing it to be used for specific actions like physical shutter buttons for the camera, pausing a timer, music controls, and so much more.
Smartphones have long been made with aluminum for the frame. For more premium devices, we usually get stainless steel. Apple has upped the ante now with a titanium frame for the iPhone 15 Pro models. As someone with a metalsmithing degree, I love this. Titanium is such a neat material, as it is extremely strong while being significantly lighter than steel. Plus, its natural color has a really cool, unique look.
The change to titanium isn’t an overly exciting thing, as it doesn’t offer any new use cases. But the material does mean your phone would be less cumbersome to hold and carry around while also holding up to damage better. I’d love to see Android phone makers take up the material for top-tier handsets — perhaps next year’s Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. There is the chance it would increase the price of these phones, but I hope that isn’t the case, as Apple managed to keep the prices of 2023’s handsets the same as 2022’s models (when, of course, accounting for the death of the $1,100 128GB Pro Max model).
5 Voice isolation mode
Lastly, one feature that wasn’t hardware-focused is the improved Voice Isolation mode. While this isn’t a new feature for iPhones, the updated machine learning algorithm further prioritizes your voice when on a call, and when activated, the Voice Isolation mode removes even more background noise from your side of the conversation. Google has been putting in quite a bit of work with its Pixel series phones, like the Pixel 7 Pro, to try and provide a better calling experience, especially with features like Clear Calling. That said, I’m not sure it has quite hit the level of what the new iPhone 15 series can provide.
I think this is a feature that would be right up Google’s alley to implement even further, thanks to the already heavily AI-laden, custom Tensor chips, like the upcoming Tensor G3. But Google isn’t the only company that is implementing more and more machine learning features into its handsets. Even though phone calls may not be your primary communication method of choice, because people are on the go so much more these days thanks to smartphones, the ability to be clearly heard no matter where you call from is something that we should expect.
Revolutionary or not, we all benefit
All in all, I thought this was one of the most tame iPhone announcements we’ve had in quite a while. However, the changes Apple made to the devices, mainly the move to USB-C and support for Qi2, can have a massive impact on Android users. Sure, there are some big updates to the cameras for all four iPhone 15 models, especially when it comes to the Pro variants. But in many ways, the changes Apple did make in the photography department were to catch up to what we’ve been enjoying on Android for a few years now, not to leap ahead of the competition.
I look forward to seeing the impact of the updates Apple brought this year on the Android smartphone world as a whole. I am also pretty excited for my iPhone-toting friends to get really excited about USB-C — after they finish complaining about getting a new cable, of course.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro is built out of titanium for the first time, delivering the lightest Pro model yet. Combined with a powerful SoC capable of console games and a new camera system, the company’s latest iPhone is pretty impressive — if you can live with iOS, of course.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the latest and greatest from Apple, with a slick new SoC that can handle console games and a new telephoto camera that finally uses periscope technology. It also finally adds USB-C, so you won’t be carrying a Lightning cable around with you anymore. These upgrades all come together to make one compelling package.
The iPhone 15 is the newest addition to the Apple smartphone lineup. It packs an improved 48Mp main camera, adds the ‘Dynamic Island’ camera cutout introduced with the 14 Pro models, and finally swaps Lightning out for a universal USB-C charging port. It’s still an iPhone though.


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Samsung looks set to reclaim its top spot in the Indian smartphone market, after strong performance in March. The South Korean electronics maker, which once replaced Nokia in the smartphone market in India, has offered the space to China’s Xiaomi since the third quarter of 2020.
The company showed strong performance in March following the strong performance of its Galaxy S22 and A-Series smartphones, according to analysts. Samsung has been on the move for a month with respect to the total market share and part of the premium, which includes phones worth more than Rs 30,000.
Xiaomi, however, retained its market leadership during the March quarter.
Samsung is in with a chance of surpassing its nearest rival Xiaomi in the overall market and will outperform Apple in the leading market, analysts say. The company received an 81% market share for phones worth more than ₹ 1 lakh in March, which includes mostly calls from Samsung and Apple, according to data from Counterpoint Research.
It also closed the 38% market share to more than ₹ 30,000, which includes leading phones from Apple, Xiaomi, Vivo, and more. Apple, on the other hand, had a market share of 30% in this segment, according to data.
There is a “strong chance” that Samsung could return to first place in the second quarter as their new tools in the Galaxy A series perform well, said Prachir Singh, senior research analyst at Counterpoint Research. This model has new launch plans. market favorites, says Singh.
In addition, the growing growth in offline sales coupled with the reduction in coronavirus-induced restrictions has also helped Samsung to re-emerge in the market. The company has managed to cover many price points with its new launch, which has given “market momentum”, said Prabhu Ram, head, an industrial intelligence team at Cybermedia Research.
Aditya Babbar, executive director and head of Product Marketing, Mobile India at Samsung India, also says the momentum has been created by the increase in offline sales. “We have expanded our sales history so that we can help consumers see our services not only in major cities but also in primary and secondary cities,” he said.
Samsung has managed a 5G band with a value of ₹ 7,000 to Rs 25,000 and, in the quarter of March, according to Cybermedia Research.
The company completed the first quarter of 2022 with a market share of 20%, after Xiaomi’s 23%, according to Counterpoint.


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Higher than expected demand for cold drinks such as Frappuccino have been blamed for Starbuck's weakest monthly same-store sales rise in four and a half years.
While analysts suggested lagging July sales could be down to higher gasoline prices and interest rates hitting customers' wallets, the coffee chain giant is said to blame the slow-down on the extra time needed to make cold blended drinks, including its new Banana Coconut Frappuccino.
"During the heatwave in July we saw more and more customers choosing our ice blended Frappuccinos with iced African coffees and iced vanilla lattes also proving very popular," a spokeswoman for Starbucks UK told CatererSearch.
Starbucks refused to comment further on how this demand for more time-consuming beverages would affect customer service and sales in UK outlets.
On a comparable store sales basis, sales at company-operated stores worldwide increased just 4% for the four-week period ending 30 July, compared with the same four-week period in the 2005 financial year.
The figure is 3% below last year's growth for the same month and 2% below Wall Street predictions, according to reports in the financial press.
By Matthew Batham


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Volvo Car Corp. says it has started shipping the first batch of 400 China-built S90 sedans to the U.S. The long-wheelbase sedans were produced at Volvo’s assembly plant in the northeastern China city of Daqing. The sedans will arrive at Volvo’s U.S. dealerships in June, the company said. The stretched S90 has a wheelbase of […]Read More
Fiat Chrysler will move the U.S. headquarters for its Maserati brand from New Jersey to the former Walter P. Chrysler Museum on the grounds of FCA’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., two sources familiar with the plan said. The transfer from Englewood Cliffs, N.J., to the shuttered museum about 25 miles north of Detroit will […]Read More
Hyundai and Kia are saying little about Chinese media reports and word from industry sources that the Korean automakersʼ combined March sales plummeted 52% amid a politically charged consumer boycott. Official sales figures are to be released soon by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, while the automakers have withheld their regular monthly announcement of […]Read More
Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp said it is spending $1.33 billion in its Kentucky plant as part of a plan to invest $10 billion in the United States over the next five years. The investment in the plant, Toyota’s largest, comes amid uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies that could affect certain Japanese […]Read More
The Trump administration would nearly eliminate federal funding for the EPA’s budget for light-vehicle emissions and fuel-economy testing but will seek to raise fees on the auto industry to pay for some testing, a government document shows. The cuts would slash by more than half the staff of the EPA department that conducts vehicle, engine, […]Read More
March sales decreases at Ford, Honda, Toyota and FCA overshadowed gains at Nissan and General Motors, casting doubt on forecasts that the U.S. industry would ride generous incentives to its first monthly advance of the year. More at Automotive NewsRead More
Foreign automakers in Russia are benefiting from a stronger, more stable ruble, which is reducing their costs and supporting earnings in dollar terms at a time when the once-booming local market is expected to return to growth after four tough years. The companies, including Volkswagen Group, Renault-Nissan and Ford Motor, were some of the hardest […]Read More
Today, we have Volkswagen TDI models that are “undrivable” following diesel fixes, the true impact of the clean energy industry on the U.S. economy, and news on German and Austrian electrification efforts. All this and more on Green Car Reports. In Germany and Austria, EV owners will soon reap the benefits of a rapidly expanding charging […]Read More
Labor leaders at Audi have asked top management to assign production of an all-electric model to the carmaker’s main Ingolstadt plant in Germany. Unions are concerned that Audi’s German workers might lose out as electric cars gain in importance. Audi will next year start building its first mass-produced electric model, the e-tron quattro SUV, at a […]Read More
Ford will invest $1.2 billion to build or modernize three facilities in Michigan where it plans to assemble trucks and SUVs, and to store consumer data, a reflection of the trends that are fundamentally reshaping the auto industry’s business model and manufacturing operations in the U.S. More at Washington PostRead More
What is the IMDS?
The International Material Database System (IMDS) is a web-based tool to archive all the materials used to manufacture an automobile. The IMDS exists for Tier I–IV suppliers to automotive OEMs and their subsidiaries and suppliers. Submitting Material Data Sheets (MDSs) for each component to the IMDS is now a requirement along with supplying the product or part.
Purpose of the IMDS
The IMDS provides a common system for archiving and maintaining a database of materials used in vehicles. The system serves to ensure that OEMs and their suppliers are in compliance with international and national standards. In the future, the database will facilitate the recycling of scrapped vehicles.
The IMDS has quickly gained acceptance with the growing demand for recycling. All vehicle components will be fed back into the substance recovery cycle. In this way, the IMDS plays a significant role in protecting the environment.
More and more automotive OEMs have accepted the ELV directive and now require IMDS compliance. These OEMs now include: BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, Fuji Heavy Industries, General Motors, Hyundai, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Renault, Shanghai GM, Sangyong, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. If you are supplying parts or materials for new cars manufactured by any of these OEM members, most likely you are subject to IMDS reporting requirements.
IMDS compliance is a well-established condition of supply within the automotive sector. It’s also a mandatory part of the PPAP process. Tier I suppliers are now responsible for submitting the component data for their parts into the IMDS system. They often delegate this responsibility to their Tier II–IV suppliers. This means the cost for submitting Material Data Sheets has been pushed down to smaller and smaller companies.
If your company has been forced to comply with the IMDS requirement, you may be unprepared to navigate the IMDS maze. Let us do it for you!
IMDS DATA has expertise in the ELV and IMDS to ensure that you meet your compliance requirements. We will support you with cost-effective methods to implement and manage the required data management and reporting programs.
Best of all, we have IMDS experts on call when you need it done right and done fast. We’ll take care of the entire process for one low fee. Contact us now for a free no-obligation price quote today.


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Runnymede has increased the number of services available online A number of government mandates have come the way of local councils in recent years: the Freedom of Information Act, the requirement to...
23 per cent of firms say that they use little to no automation, but that is set to change soon
China had warned of 'repercussions' should Canada bar Huawei from the country's 5G networks
No-so-Faster Payments borkage hits Lloyds Banking Group
Apple to appeal order pay $440m over FaceTime patent infringement


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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance, Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday said that the government took corrective measures to recover the shortfall of Rs 40 billion revenue which would not cause hike in inflation rate in the country.
“The additional duties are imposed only upon the imported and luxury items which are not used by the common people”, Ishaq Dar said while talking to Pakistan Television.
He said there were also alternative to those imported items which were locally produced, so the consumers who could not afford the costly imported items might use the locally produced items whose prices would not be affected by the additional taxes.
Rejecting the notion of introducing mini budget by the government, Ishaq Dar said that it had been global practice that whenever a government faced revenue shortfall it took corrective measures.
“There are hundreds of thousands items being imported into the country, but the government has imposed the additional regulatory duty on only 350 items which are only used by the rich”, he added.
He said the introduction of additional taxes on the imported items would also help in saving the foreign exchange as the consumption of these items would be reduced and the use of local items would be increased.
The minister said that the current government had inherited the annual revenue growth of about three percent but during first two years of its tenure it achieved the average target of 16.5 percent per year and for the current fiscal year an ambitious target of Rs 3104 (20% more) was set and the government was committed to achieve this target as well.
“The more tax we will collect the more benefit the country will get,” the minister said adding it would help the country to reduce its fiscal deficit which would ultimately cause less borrowing by the government.
To a question, Ishaq Dar said the number of tax payers had been increased from 700,000 to one million in two years.
“We are negotiating with the small traders and if the talks become successful, we hope that three million more taxpayers would come under the tax net which would help in a huge jump in the revenues”, Dar added.
He said in October, 2015 the revenue collection recorded 22 percent as compared to the same period while in November, 2015 the revenue collection recorded 28 percent increase which is a great achievement by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) team.
The minister said that the FBR had many option to bring the people under tax net but it was giving priority to offering incentives to the people so that more and more people come under tax net.
He said FBR was also facilitating the tax payers by giving incentives and it was also simplifying the documentation in this regard. He said the traders were also cooperating with the government and hoped that they would agree to come in to the tax net.
He rejected the notion of bringing reforms in taxation system under the pressure of International Monetary Fund (IMF) saying that it was included in the election manifesto of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz).
Regarding Energy Reforms, the minister said that when the government took over the charge, bleeding was the worst problem of the energy sector and during previous government tenure, Rs 2100 billion were given as subsidy.
He said if the previous government had corrected the overall energy system, the precious money would not be lost and it could be used for building up a huge energy project like Diamir Bhasha Dam.
To a question, Ishaq Dar said after a sharp decline in prices of the petroleum products in the international market, Pakistan had to face a loss of Rs 100 billion in term of revenues so in order to recover this amount, the government increased duties on petroleum products.
“Besides increasing duties on the petroleum products, we also passed on a huge benefit of reduced prices to the people and currently the prices of petroleum products in Pakistan are lowest as compared to the regional countries”, he added.
He said during previous two and half years, the government’s focus was to bring the country out of economic crisis and now it had succeeded in improving the macroeconomic indicators as acknowledged by the world’s renowned economic institutions.
He said that during next two years the government would focus on creating employment opportunities, industrial and GDP growth in the country.-APP